5 key questions facing the Blackhawks
The Blackhawks are 9-9-0 in their last 18 games, which includes 6-7-0 in January, haven't shown many signs of improving those pedestrian marks of late.
Their uninspired 3-0 road loss Tuesday to the Minnesota Wild was arguably their worst game of the season, and the sound defeat has prompted a number of concerns about the Hawks. Here's a look at some key questions facing the team, and some possible answers.
Q. What's the deal with the defense, in particular Johnny Oduya?
A. Oduya's play has declined the last six weeks, but he's not the only problem. The Hawks' recent troubles also don't stop with just the defensemen. Team defense is lacking, and that includes the forwards not doing a good enough job backchecking to help the defensemen.
The Hawks have a lot of skill, but their offense can't get started without their defense closing off the defensive end of the rink.
As for Oduya, one of the Hawks' steadiest defensive players the last few seasons, it might be time to play him with Niklas Hjalmarsson again.
Q. Will general manager Stan Bowman trade for help on defense?
A. There have already been rumors about the Blackhawks testing the trade market. However, it would require quite a financial balancing act. According to NHLnumbers.com, the Hawks have about $800,000 in cap space. Any deal of significance would likely require sending away a player with a large enough cap hit to fit the acquired player under the cap.
There's been speculation since last season that Patrick Sharp, with a $5.9 million hit, could be potential trade bait. It's hard to see how that would ultimately help.
Bryan Bickell has a $4 million cap hit that could free up space, but his underwhelming regular seasons the last two years might limit the return in a trade. Brent Seabrook's name gets mentioned because of his $5.8 million cap hit, but it would be shocking if he or any of the top four defensemen are dealt.
Q. How concerning is the recent lack of scoring?
A. The Hawks have scored just 11 goals in the last six games. They haven't scored in 126:35 and have been shutout in two straight games, which is the first time that has happened since Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane broke into the NHL in 2007-08.
This is the second stretch in which scoring has been an issue, but this one is different. In the earlier scoring slump, the Hawks dominated almost every other statistical measure. Now they're getting outshot more than usual and they are struggling to gain control of the puck, a hallmark of their game.
Again, that's tied to the defense. When their defensive effectiveness picks up, scoring should too.
Q. What happens when Kris Versteeg returns?
A. It's starting to look like rookie Teuvo Terevainen might get sent back to Rockford. Unless they bump Terevainen to the fourth line, or push Shaw or Bickell down a line, there's really no room to keep him and Versteeg in the lineup.
It will be interesting to see what head coach Joel Quenneville's forward lines look like next week. Versteeg clicked with Brad Richards and Kane on the second line, where Sharp is currently playing. If Sharp goes to the third unit, does he take Bickell's spot on the left wing?
Q. How much trouble are they actually in right now?
A. The panic button isn't anywhere in sight, but the Hawks need to get things going. That might be a tough order with trips to Winnipeg and St. Louis left to finish this road trip, but that's the situation.
The Hawks (64 points) are still in third place of the Central Division, but the Jets (61 points) are right on their heels, and the Calgary Flames aren't far behind.
Looking beyond Calgary, there is a group of four teams within 10 points of the Hawks that are pushing to get into the postseason, including the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings. There is still hope of catching the Blues (70 points) and Nashville Predators (72 points), but the Hawks need to start stringing wins together again.